How to Carve a Turkey so Your Bird Isn’t a Total Hack Job

Nothing ruins Thanksgiving dinner quicker than shredding a gorgeously cooked turkey to pieces. OK, we lied, maybe human blood drawn during said turkey shredding kills the joy of the holiday a little bit faster. But seriously, improperly carving a turkey and cutting yourself in the process are both totally common Thanksgiving Day scenarios. Don’t let it happen to you.

The good news is you can avoid a bird and finger massacre with some simple tips. We recommend using a good, sharp carving knife and a boning knife rather than an electric knife. This will give you more control and protect the texture of your meat better. Set that bird on a cutting board with wells to capture the juices you release while cutting.

To separate a joint, first cut the skin around it, then grasp the pieces firmly, and pull until you hear the joint pop. Then, using a carving knife, cut through just the tendons connecting the joint. You don’t need to cut through bone to remove the legs and wings from a turkey.